Good athletic shoes are a basic attribute of every fan of physical activity. How to restore the cleanliness and neatness of your heavily used training shoes? Here are the best tried and tested methods!
Many people wonder if it is a good idea to clean sports shoes with the help of a washing machine Won’t the shoes get ruined by the spin and contact with the powder or washing liquid? It depends
Athletic shoes made of delicate, breathable material with mesh structure may not withstand this treatment well. Machine washing is also not advisable when shoes show signs of damage – a slightly peeled sole, a small hole, or scuffs disqualify a shoe from undergoing the process of automatic washing (the damage may get worse). Most manufacturers do not recommend putting sports shoes made of natural or eco leather into the washing machine drum. Also in these cases, hand washing will be a more reasonable and safer solution
We can throw sports shoes made of synthetic materials into a washing machine only if the manufacturer allows this method of refreshing the footwear, placing such information on the inner label (it is worth putting your favorite pair in a special polyester laundry bag). A very important tip – do not overdo the amount of detergent!
At what temperature can I wash shoes for running, fitness, cycling or squash? Choose a delicate programme, preferably with a temperature of 30° Celsius or one designed specifically for sports shoes (many modern washing machines have this facility). What else is worth remembering? Low speed (preferably 400-600) and no spinning. After washing, put old newspapers or paper towels inside the shoes – this will speed up the drying process and prevent deformation of the shoes.
Remember that if you wash sports shoes in a washing machine, even though the manufacturer advises against such practice, you will lose the right to claim warranty in case of damage.
How to clean workout shoes by hand? Restoring pristine cleanliness is easier than it seems, just follow a few rules
If there is dust on the surface of your shoes, it’s a good idea to gently shake them out. However, a soft toothbrush will be perfect for removing dried dirt. It is enough to “comb” dry the muddy parts of your shoes. The next step is to wet wash the upper with a cotton cloth – if the dirt does not come off, you can soap it or use a few drops of dishwashing liquid. After washing, let the shoes dry – preferably in a well-ventilated place (similarly as after washing in a washing machine by putting paper towels or newspapers inside). Shoes should not dry near a radiator or in direct sunlight as this will encourage deformation.
To remove perspiration and dirt from inside your shoes, remove the insoles and soak them in warm water, then apply a little soap or dishwashing liquid and rub carefully until they are clean. For extremely dirty or damaged insoles, simply replacing them with new ones may be a better option.
Use baking soda to clean white athletic shoes – by mixing it with water to a paste-like consistency, you can quickly restore your shoes to a snow-white color. Baking soda is also great at neutralizing unpleasant odors and you can instantly freshen up your shoe insoles by sprinkling a little of the product on them.
We hope that our practical, at-home sports shoe cleaning tips will allow you to restore your shoes to perfect condition and enjoy using them during training for many seasons.
